Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families
New research reveals that the "convenient" pre-packaged school lunches are actually the most expensive option - and the least healthy. Discover the simple menu system that saves money, improves nutrition, and gets kids excited about their school lunches.
Key Points:
90% of Australian kids take packed lunches to school
Average lunch box costs $4.50
Pre-packaged foods cost more than fresh options
40% of kids' lunches are filled with pricier, less healthy options
Menu system eliminates daily decision fatigue
Quote of the Episode: "Our family has single-handedly kept a wheat farmer's business going for the last 20 plus years with all those lunches, that probably half of which ended up in the bin."
Key Insights:
Creating a menu system reduces waste and costs
Getting kids involved increases likelihood of eating
Laminated menus with checkboxes make planning easy
Budget constraints can be framed as opportunity for change
Advanced planning eliminates morning stress
Resources Mentioned:
Flinders University and University of Newcastle research (2024)
Hotel/motel breakfast menu system concept
AI tools for menu planning (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)
Action Steps for Parents:
Create Your Menu System:
Hold a family meeting to discuss food preferences
List all acceptable fruits, vegetables, and sandwich fillings
Create categories (fruits, snacks, main items)
Laminate the menu for reuse
Use checkboxes for daily selections
Implementation Strategy:
Plan selections the night before
Mark unavailable items
Shop according to menu needs
Prep ingredients in advance
Involve kids in preparation
Budget Management:
Focus on fresh ingredients over packaged
Allow one sweet item per lunch
Buy in bulk when possible
Prep and freeze items ahead
Monitor what actually gets eaten
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